Rotary type can opener



June 23,1942. R. E. M LEAN ROTARY TYPE CAN OPENER 4.5heets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 3, 1941 I g 3i I III/Z QHHUH June 23, 1942. E, MCLEAN I ROTARY TYPE CAN. OPENER Filed Sept. 3-, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 23, 1942. R. E. McLE AN ROTARY TYPE cm. OPENER Filed Sept. 3, 1941 4Sheets-Sheet 3 v Javacwtm Haber? E. MZean June 23, 1942. E, McLEAN 2,287,442

ROTARY TYPE CAN. OPENER Filed Sept. 3, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Roberi E. H lga/n Fatented June 23, E942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC 2,287,442 ROTARY TYPE cAN OPENER Robert E. McLean, Fort Benning, Ga. Application September 3, 1941, Serial No. 409,419

15 Claims. (Cl. 30-9) This invention relates generally to the class of instruments or tools designed for opening sealed receptacles such as tin cans and the like, and pertains particularly to the type of opener which is designed to remove the head of a tin can completely and leave a smooth unjagged edge.

The present invention has for its principal object to provide an improved rotary type of can opener in which a novel means is provided for effecting the penetration of a cutting blade into the head of the can and for holding the can for rotation with respect to such blade until the head I of the can is completely cut out.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved can opener having as a novel feature thereof a means whereby the penetration of the head of the can by the cutting blade is effected simultaneously with and by the operation of rotating a single driving lever or crank, thereby avoiding the necessity-on the part of the user of first manipulating one element of the device for the penetration of the can head by the cutting blade and then switching to and manipulating a second independent element for rotating the can with respect to the cutting blade as is required in can openers of this general type such as are at present in use. I

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved can opener of the rotary type in which there is only one lever or crank arm to be operated to force the cutter through the end of the can, to firmly engage the can in the device,

to cut the end out of the can so as to leave no jagged edges and to release the can from the device.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a can opener of the character stated having only a single operating crank or lever, in which the construction is such that a single series of only clock-wise rotation of the operating handleor crank forces the cutter through the end of the can: firmly secures the can in the device and cuts the end from the can, and subsequent counter-clockwise rotation, not exceeding one and one-quarter turns of the same operating handle or crank arm, releases the can from the device and prepares the device .for the reception of the next can. I

Still another object is to provide an improved can opener of the character stated wherein the operating handle or crank arm is normally suspended straight downward and out of the way when the device is not being used and the crank handle or arm assumes such position without manual operation after having been turned to 55 f position to release the can from the device, from which suspended position it is only necessary to turn the operating handle clockwise to begin the cycle of opening the next can.

Another object of the invention is to provide in v the can simultaneously with the rotation of the can so that the head is penetrated by the cutting blade with greater ease and more quickly than is possible with cutters of this type where merely a longitudinal movement of the can toward. the cutting blade is made to effect such penetration of the blade through the canton Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved can opener having the several advantageous and novel features above set forth, which is adapted to be secured to a supporting wall bracket or other suitable supporting means and which operates smoothly and efliciently and which can be economically and strongly constructed so as to re'main serviceable and dependable for a long period of time.

The several embodiments of the invention here illustrated will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it being understood, however, that the invention is not to be considered as limited by the specific illustration or description but. that such illustration and description constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a can opener constructed in accordance with one em-- bodiment of the present invention showing the handle or crank moved through one and onequarter turns of its operating cycle and showing the can cutting position of the parts, and also, a portion of the mounting for the device;

Figure 2 is a view in top plan of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1: v

Figure 4 is a section on the line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a section on the ure 1; v

Figure 5' is a fragmentary view in elevation of line 55 of Figthe cutter blade and driving wheel, as seen in viewing the device from the front;

Figure 6 is a view in side elevation of a second embodiment of the invention showing the parts Figure 11 is a sectional view on the line ll-l l' of Figure 3;

Figure 12 is a view in side elevation of a third embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 13 is a view in elevation of the can side of the opener shown in Figure 12, or the side opposite from that shown in Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a view in top plan of the opener of Figure 12;

Figure 15 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale on the line I-l5 of Figure 12;

Figure 16 is a vertical section through the upper part of the opener of Figure 12 corresponding with the section of Figure 15, but showing the drive roller and associate parts in lowered inoperative position;

Figure 1'? is a view in side elevation of a fourth embodiment of the present invention, showing 'the driving roller and associate parts in raised or operative position;

Figure 18 is a sectional of Figure 17;

Figure 19 is a view in view on the line |e-|s elevation of the can side I or face of the opener shown in Figure 1'7;

Figure 20 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale on the line 20-20 of Figure 17;

Figure 21 is a vertical section corresponding to Figure 20 but showing the drive roller and associate parts in lowered position;

Figure 22 is a detailed view showing a modified form or alternate type of cam pawl. 1 Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the description will first be directed to the construction and operation of that embodiment of the invention which is particularly illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive.

The device as illustrated in these figures ,comprises the as illustrated, is designed to assume a vertical position for use, being secured to a supporting bracket, as hereinafter described. This bodyplate I at its upper end is provided with the offset longitudinal extensions 2 whereby there is formeda downwardly facing shoulder 2', Figure 3, for the purpose hereinafter stated. At its upper end the reduced portion 2 merges into the horizontal lateral extension 3 which in turn merges into or connects with the reverted downtumed portion 4 which constitutes the cutting flat relatively long body plate i which,

are in spaced parallel relation as shown and there extends between these two portions a pivot stud 6 which, as shown in Figure 3, is secured to the portion 2 while its opposite end extends into an opening in the blade portion but is not secured to this portion and consequently there is permitted a slight movement of the blade portion relatively to the portion 2. Such movement may occur where an outward thrust occurs against the sharpened edge of the blade when the blade is being forced through the top of a can and the movement is permitted by the resiliency of the metal. l

The pivot stud 6 has supported thereon an idler roller 1. The periphery of the idler roller 1 is knurled and this knurled edge bears against the rim of the'can while the head of the same is being out. At one side of the knurled roller 1 is a flange '1 which extends across the bead at the edge of the can when the head is in engagement with the edge of the roller.

The body I has formed therethrough, just beneath the oilset shoulder 2*, thelongitudinally extending elongated opening 8. Extending through this opening 8 is a sleeve 9 which has formed integral therewith and substantially midway of its ends, the circular collar III, the diameter of which is only slightly less than the width of the opening 8 in which this collar is positioned. The sleeve 9 at each side ofthe collar is flattened, as indicated at H, in Figures 10 and 11, for the purpose hereinafter stated.

Extending through the sleeve 9 is a relatively long bearing sleeve l2 and passing through this hearing sleeve isa shaft 13 which, at the end remote from the cutting blade, is reduced-and blade and which at its lower edge is obliquely cut and sharpened to provide the oblique cutting edge 5. With this oblique formation of the cutting edge it will be seen that when the point of the edge is thrust through the top of a can, as illustrated in Figure 3, it will extend through the can top at an angle and as the can is rotated the metal of the top will advance toward and against the inclined or angled cutting edge so that the penetration of the blade through the can top while the can is being rotated, will be made easily.

The blade 4 and the portion 2 of the plate body squared, or given any desired polygonal crosssection, to receivea similarly formed opening in the end of an operating handle or crank arm 14. The reduced-end of this shaftis indicated by the numeral I5 and, asshown in Figure 3,

it is provided with a suitable head l8 which secures the handle tothe shaft.

Secured in a suitable manner to the end of the shaft I3 is a driving wheel II, the periphery of which is toothed, as shown in Figure 5. As is shown' in Figure 3, the face of this toothed driving wheel l1 lies in a plane just inside of the inner facev of the cutting blade 4..

In other words, there is just sufllcient space be-- tween the plane of the face of the wheel l1 and the inner face of the cutting blade 4 to receive the double thickness of metal made up of the side wall and theinturned portion of the can head which is formed when the cutting blade is thrust therethrough. If the thickness of such metal varies, then the resiliency of the metal from which the cutting blade is formed will permit the blade to spring slightly away from the' portion 2 so that the wheel 11 will not be bound so as to make its turning diflicult. Aspreviously stated, the sliding connection between-the blade 4 and the adjacent end of the pivot stud 8' permit this slight springing movement of the blade with I respect to the part 2.

In Figure 3 a portion of a can is outlined and is indicated by the reference character It. As shown, the driving roller I} is in raised position so that the cutting edge 5 of the blade 4 has been forced through the top of the can and the bead of the can is shown engaged between the driving roller l1 and the idling roller 1.

Interposed between the plate body I and the driving wheel I1 is an eccentric wheel I! which has an eccentrically positioned opening for the opposite I wheel is tightly'bound or secured between the end of the sleeve 9and the collar l and consequently it cannot have movement around or axially of the sleeve 9 independently of the sleeve.

As is shown in dotted outline in Figure 1, the

eccentric wheel has a portion of its periphery ex.-'

tended to form a ninety degree angle, thus providing two stop faces and 2|. The action of these stop faces will be hereinafter more specifically described.

Upon the opposite side of the collar Hi from the eccentric wheel I 9 there is mounted upon the sleeve 9 an end of a lever arm 22. This lever arm 22, like the eccentric wheel [9, has the opening in which the end of the sleeve 9 engages, flattened, as shown in Figure 10, to engage the flattened portion of the sleeve so that the arm will be held on the sleeve against turning. Also the end of the sleeve is flared, as shown, to hold the arm against axial movement thereon. This flared end of the sleeve 9 secures the upper end of the lever arm 22 against the outer side or adjacent side of the collar l0.

Substantially midway of its ends the lever arm 22 is right angularly ofis'et, as indicated at 23, so

that the lower end of this arm will clear the cam pawl 24 which is pivotally attached to the body plate I by the rivet 25. This pawl 24 has its lower edge arcuately formed, as indicated at 26, which are is eccentric to the pivotal center for the pawl, as shown in Figure 1, and as hereinafter more particularly described.

At its free end the lever arm 22 has each edge cut in to form a long notch 21, the longitudinally extending face of which is at an oblique angle with respect to the adjacent longitudinal edge of the arm to be engaged by the hereinafter described crank arm carried slide.

The plate body I carries the stop pin 28 which is engaged by the pawl 24 so that the forward swinging movement of the pawl is limited to the position in which it is shown in Figure 1. It will also be noted that when the eccentric wheel has been turned to the position shown in Figure 1 where the driving wheel I! has been raised to the limit-of its movement, as in the operation of forcing the point of the knife blade through the top of the can, the trailing edge of the lever arm 22 will be in a horizontal plane which is slightly above the lowermost point or end of the camming edge 26.

The crank arm or handle l4 carries a knob or hand grip 29 upon its free end and upon the side nearest the lever arm 22 is a sliding latch unit 39. This unit comprises two spaced strips of material which are indicated by the numeral 3| and which together form a guideway 32 in which is slidably disposed a slide or trip 33. This slide carries the two transversely extending movement limiting pins 34 which engage in slots 35 formed in the opposite ends of the strips 3|. Upon the outer end of the slide 33, that is, the end nearest the knob 29 of the handle, there is shown in" Figure 2., Thus the slide 33 is constantly urged toward the inner or pivoted end of the handle, and it is so positioned that when the handle is turned in a clockwise direction the slide will overlap the notched end of the lever arm 22, to a substantial one-eighth of an inch.

Upon the side of the plate body i adjacent which the eccentric wheel is located there is secured at the lower end of the plate body a plate 39 which is formed integrally with an end of a spring arm 49 which curves upwardly and extends over .the top edge of and in relatively closely spaced relation to the plate 39, as is shown in Figures 1 and 2. The top edge of this spring arm 4B is contacted by the peripheral edge of the eccentric wheel and forms a hearing or thrust surface for the eccentric wheel, as will. be readily understood. Only a slight clearance is allowed betweenthe spring arm 40 and the top'edge of the plate body 39, with which it is 'integrally connected. so that if an unusual amount of pressure or force must be applied to the handle in causing the knife blade to penetrate the top of the-can the spring-arm cannot yield to such a great extent as to defeat the operation of the device. "Q

There is' also secured, as shown in Figure 3, to the lower end of the body plate and across the spring plate'39, an end of a supporting or bracket arm 4|, these parts being preferably secured together by rivets 42, although any other suitable means of coupling these parts together may be employed if desired. The opposite end of the bracket arm 41 is formed to provide a T or cross head 4| which is designed to beslidably engaged in a wall attached holder a between the back of the latter and the inturned flanges b which are disposed along opposite edges of the holder back. One of the flanges b has formed is one leg of a substantially U-shaped spring d.

a longitudinally extending stud 36 whichengages in one end of an expansion spring 31, the other end of this spring having engaged therein the finger 38 which is secured to the handle, as

The secured leg of this spring is indicated by the letter e and the other leg, which is indicated by the letter 1, slides at its free end along the edge of the notched flange b and engages in the notch c, as shown in Figure 2, to hold the bracket against disengagement from the holder a. While the spring has been shown upon the sideof the bracket arm 4|, on which the crank ,is located, it will be obvious that it may be placed upon the opposite side of the bracket arm if desired, par ticularly where a short arm may be employed, so that the spring will not interfere with the operation of the crank. With this locking means for the spring the bracket arm is prevented from jumping upward when an upward pull is applied to the handle 29.

In the operation of the device, the driving wheel together with the sleeve 9 and the collar "I will be in lowered position at the beginning of the procedure for applying and cutting the top from a can. The eccentric Wheel will be turned to the position where the stop face 2| thereof character so that it is above the driving wheel and the end of the can is above the cutting blade, the-handle or crank arm 14 will be turned extent, preferably about '4 whichfh as the n? I a bearing sh from its downwardly extending or hanging position in a clockwise direction until the end of the slide 33 comes to rest upon the upwardly facing notch $1 of the lever arm 22. The lever arm will then be forced down by continued rotation of the handle, causing rotation wheel and consequently the raising of the driving wheel toward the overlying idler wheel 1, During this operation the driving wheel II will be turning and consequently as the point of the knife blade is forced into the top of the can the can will also be rotated and the penetration of the blade will be made relatively easy.

As the slide 33 moves around against and with the lever arm 22 its free end will ride under the cam pawl, engaging the edge 26 thereof and the slide will be gradually forced back against the tension of the spring 31 until the .slide is in a direct ,vertical line with the pivotal center of the shaft l3,whe re it will be forced beyond the end of the lever arm 22 so as to release the latter, and it will then slide off of. the lowest point of the cam pawl. The eccentric wheel will then be turned to a position where the stop face 20 is slightly spaced from the shoulder 2, as shown in Figure 1. A slight clearance is provided here between the stop face 20 and the shoulder 2 to allow for some slight further turning of the eccentric wheel if this should be necessary.

After the can head or pletely around, the parts of the device may be restored to inoperative position ready to receive another can by giving a counterclockwise rotation to the handle l4 through about one-quarter turn from the lowermost or hanging position of the handle which will cause the slide 33 to engage in the opposite notch 21 of the lever arm from the one previously engaged,until the lever arm has been swnng back to the dotted line position shown in Figure 1, whereupon the cam wheel will be returned to the position where the collar It will be in the lower end of the slot 8 and the driving wheel I! turned to its lowest position.' The handle when released will gravitate back to hanging position and also the cam pawl will normally remain suspended from its pivot in the manner shown. and it is merely turned counterclockwise on this pivot when engaged by the slide until rotatedto the point where it escapes the slide. at which time the action of gravity will cause it to return to its normally depending position against the rivet stop.

Figures 6 to 9 inclusive illustrate another embodiment of the invention wherein the vertical plate body is indicated by the numeral I. This is secured at its lower end to the supporting bracket 4! while at its upper end it is shaped to provide the offset parallel andlongitudinally ex- .tending portion 43, which is rcversely right angularly bent at its upper end, as indicated at 44,

and terminates in the downwardly directed blade f-By the provision of the offset porhere provided the eccentric wheel milder-'45.

In the offset portion 43 of the plate body there isprovide'd the longitudinally extending guide slot 8. Disposed within and extending through this guide slot 8 is the sleeve 9", which intermediate its ends has the encircling collar l0 which turns, and moves lengthwise in the guide slot in the operation of the instrument.

Upon the can side of the plate, the sleeve 9 supports an eccentric wheel l9", which bears l directed in a plane paralleling the offset of the eccentric top has been cut comagainst the shoulder l5 and against the under side of the angled top portion N of the plate,

- as shown in Figures 6 and 8. A portion of the cutting edge 5, which is downplate 33 coacts arm 22, the notches of which arm are indicated slot 8- periphery of this wheel isangled to provide the stop faces 2i! and 2| which engage, respectively, with the part 44 and the shoulder 45 to limit the rotation of the wheel.

The end of the bearing sleeve 9' s swaged over or flanged, as shown in Figure 9, like the sleeve 9, to secure the eccentric wheel 19 agalnst axial movement and a portion of this sleeve where it passes through the eccentric wheel, is flattened like the portion ll of the sleeve 9, to engage a correspondingly flattened portion of the edge of the opening in the eccentric wheel through which the sleeve end extends.

Upon the opposite side of the plate portion 43, from the eccentric wheel IS, the sleeve 9" passes through an opening in an end of the lever 22' and this end of the sleeve is secured to the lever to hold the latter against axial movement and also to hold it against turning independently of the sleeve, in the same manner as the lever 22 is secured to the sleeve '9.

Extending through the sleeve 9 is a bearing sleeve l2 corresponding to the sleeve l2, shown in Figure 3.

Extending through the bearing sleeve I2 is a drive wheel supporting shaft it, which has upon the end thereof nearest the cutting blade 4'', the peripherally knurled or toothed driving wheel II, which lies in a plane inside of the plane of the blade 4, as shown in Figures 8 and '9. The

oppositeend of this shaft extends beyond the 29 A head l6 formed upon the end of the shaft l3 maintains the crank N in position thereon. This head may be in the form of a threaded on nut or it may form a swaged over portion of the end of the shaft.

As shown most clearly in Figure 9, the plate I is secured to the supporting bracket H by the two rivets 54 and 55. The rivet 54 pivotally supports beneath the shoulder 45, a cam pawl 24, the forward swinging movement of which is limited by the stop pin or stud 28-. This cam pawl is formed like the pawl 24 with an eccentric lower camming edge 26.

The crank ll supports a slide unit, indicated as a whole by the numeral 30, which comprises a pair of guides, one only of which is shown and indicated by the numeral 3|, between which is slidably mounted the slide plate 33. This plate is normally urged toward the pivoted end of the handle H by the spring 31' so that the slide with the notched end of the lever by the numerals 21, to turn the eccentric wheel I! for the operation of the parts in the same manner as described in connection with the structure shown in Figure l.

The operation of the second embodiment of the invention will be seen to be substantially the same; as that of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, in that when the eccentric wheel I! is rotated counterclockwise, the flattened edge portion 2 I will come into contact with the'shoulder l5 and stop the movement-of the wheel in this direction and the shaft with the parts carried thereby will bemoved to the lower end of the and the lever Il will be swung rearwardly from the operative position in which it is pawls of'the other embodiments, has a lower shown in Figure 7. Clockwise rotation of the crank l4 after the can I8, Figure 9, has been placed in position, will effect the contact of the slide 33 with the lever 22 and movement of the lever so as to turn the coin wheel until the top edge 20' contacts the top part 44 of the body of the instrument, whereupon the driving roller and other parts will be moved upwardly to lift the can, forcing the cutting edge of the knife through the top thereof while it is being rotated. The cam pawl 24' and the slide 33 coact as; in the structure shown in Figure, 1, to disengage the slide from the lever so that continued clockwise rotation of the handle may take place.

Figures 12 to 16 inclusive, show the third embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the body plate is straight throughout its length and at its upper end has the laterally extendingor angled head plate 51 which terminates in the downwardly extending knife 4 the lower edge of which is beveled or sharpened to form the cutting edge 5'. body I has formed therein the longitudinally extending guide slot 8 Disposed in and extending transversely through this-guide slot is a bearing sleeve 12 and extending through the bearing sleeve is a shaft l3 upon one end of which is carried the driving wheel or roller l1". This roller is, of course, like the rollers of the other embodiments of the invention,'disposed in a plane just inwardly of the cutting blade 4 so that it may engage the rim of a can 18, as shown in Figure 16, to shift the same upwardly to the position shown in Figure 15, so as to force the knife through the top or head of the can.

Extending across the rear edge of the body plate I and partly enclosing the body plate, is a substantially U-shaped yoke 58 which has the two spaced parallel side portions 59 and 60 joined by the short intermediate portion 6| which, as shown in Figure 14, is spaced a substantial distance rearwardly from theedge of the plate body. The two sides 59 and 60 of the yoke are suitably apertured to receive the ends of the bearing sleeve 12. with which they are keyed, as is clearly shown in Figures 15 and 16, the keys being indicated by the numeral 62. yoke is interposed, as shown in Figures 15 and 16,

between the toothed or knurled driving wheel' ll and the adjacent plate body it, and this portion of the yoke has the offset depending tongue 63 which is pivotally coupled pin or rivet 64 with an end of a link 65, the other end of which link is pivotally secured by the rivet or pivot pin 66 to the body plate l in lnngi-p tudinal alignment with the center of the guide slot 8 and the driving wheel shaft extending therethrough. The pivot 64 thus forms a joint or elbow between the depending tongue 63 which forms an integral part of the yoke and the link 65 which is permitted pivotal movement only through its connection with the body by the pivot 66. This joint or elbow is adapted to swing or bend forwardly slightly beyond longitudinal center on which the pivotGG and the shaft 13 lie in its movement past the center line is limited by the stop pin 61, as is clearly shown in'Figure 13.

The upper part of the plate The side 60 of the.

viously described arm ll.

eccentric camming edge 26".

The end of the shaft l3 remote from the driving wheel is suitably formed for the-attachment thereto of an end of the crank at the outer end of which is a handle 29. Like the cranks of the other embodiments. this crank handle M carries a slide unit which is generally .indicated by the reference character 30, and

which is shown only in dotted outline in Figure The construction and operation of this slide unit is exactly the same as that shown in Figures 1 and 2 and, therefore, a detailed illustration and description of the same in connection with this modification is not considered necessary.

The lower end of the plate body. 1 is fixed by the rivets 69 to the supporting arm II, which is constructed and attached to asuitable supporting body in the same manner as the prealso the forward swinging movement of the cam pawl 24'' is limited by a stop pin which is secured to the body I, and is indicated by the numeral 10.

The operation of this embodiment is substantially the same as the previously described ones in that when the crank handle is turned clockwise, the slide 33 strikes the lever 22* to oscillate it a predetermined distance to the position in which it is shown in Figure 12. In so oscillating this lever, the joint or pivot 64 is bent from a forwardly broken position where it is moved beyond the longitudinal center of .the plate body from the stop 61 rearwardly into near engagement with the stop, as shown in Figure 13; and in being so moved, it raises the shaft l3 from the lower end of the slot 8 to the upper end thereof, thus forcing the driving wheel upwardly and lifting the can so that the cutting knife edge will be forced through the top of the can, as shown in Figure 15. The cam pawl functions as in the other embodiments, to shift the slide out of engagement with the lever 21" 'when the driving wheel has been raised and the knife edge forced through the can top.

by means of a pivot I Upon the opposite side of the plate l from 'the joint or elbow 64, the side 59 of the yoke 1 1| and 12. v and 12' are provided with suitable aligned open- 1 Figures 17 to 21 illustrate the fourth embodiment of the invention. In this form there are employed two elongated parallel body plates which are designated 1| and 12. The upper ends of these plates are obliquely angled, as shown in Figure 18, and indicatedby the reference characters 11' and 12', and have interposed therebetween a spacer annulus 13. At their lower ends there is interposed between the body plates to maintain them in spaced relation, the spring plate 39, with which is integrally formed a rearwardly, upwardly and forwardly curving spring arm 40. arm which extends forwardly with respect to the instrument, is disposed between the body plates The obliquely angled portions 1| ings 14, which are coaxial with the annular spacer 13 and extending through these openings is va sleeve 15 having the encircling collar 16 which is fitted in the annular spacer 13'and secured between the adjacent portions of the body plates. This 'sleeve has extended therethrough a cutter wheel shaft 11, and the .end is upon the same side of the implement as the headl2 is reduced and screw-threaded, as indicated at 11, to receive a cutter wheel 18. Upon the inner side of the cutter wheel there is mounted on the'shaft carrying the cutter a roller In this embodiment" The terminal portion of this spring of this shaft, which top punctured by the edge tion of a can is 4 ure 18 and is indicated by the numeral ll and,

- body plates, the two plates are provided longitudinally extending aligned guide slots l.' Extending transversely of the body plates through which the cutter wheel the same m'anneras eccentric wheel shown in Figure 1. In"

or. in spaced relation to the but due to manufacturing tolerances or any'wear as a result of usage cver a centric wheel with this bearing sleeve.

the underlying driving wheel, as hereinafter described.

end of the cutter wheel shaft I1 The opposite carries a head M, the overall diameter of which is substantially the same as that of the sleeve 15. Interposed between this head, and the adjacent end of the sleeve 15, and encircling the shaft I1, is a yieldable spring washer 02 which functions adjacent the rotary cutting knife II, the periphery knurled or toothed driving wheel i1.

By reason of the angular disposition of the axis of the rotary knife ll, it will be seen upon reference to Figures 18, 20 and 21, that the outer face of the with the rotary knife upon the inner side ofthe cutting edge thereof driving wheel is shifted upwardly by the move- ,ment of the bearing and, consequently, when the sleeve in the guide slots 8, the top flange or bead of the can ll will be moved along the inner gagement with the cooperating roller I! between which and the driving wheel it will be gripped, so that the necessary rotary movement imparted to the can by the driving wheel. At the same time the cutting edge of the rotary knife will penetrate the head of the can and the flat inner face of the to draw the flange portion CI of the roller cutter against the opposite end of the sleeve I5, but. permits the cutter wheel to have some movement axially with respect to the sleeve so that the cutter wheel and the hereinafter described driving wheel may-separate slightly where a can seam is encountered, or in the event that a can having metal of unusual thickness is encountered.

Below the angled portions II and 12' of the with the the slots 8 is a bearing sleeve l2, which upon the end nearest the side of the'instrument upon is located, has the enlarged head l2, which flts in the adjacent slot 0. Interposed between the plates ll and I2 and located between and in part 2. of the contact at itsperiphery with the spacer 13 and-the spring arm il is an eccentric wheel 19, through which is eccentrically extended tn: bearing sleeve l2. This bearing sleeve is loc ed or keyedto the eccentric wheel by the 62. Integral with and extendin radially from wheel l9 is a stop flnger the stop shoulders 20 and 2! of the V other words, this stop flnger will stop Just-below annular spacer '13,

long period 'of time.

the periphery of the eccentricl9 which functions :in

knife will smooth down the metal at the wall of the can so as to cut out the can top smoothly and without leaving a rough or jagged edge of metal. In all of the other embodiments of the invention also, it will be observed that the knives bear against the inner face of of the can, to smooth down the metal and prevent leaving a rough or jagged edge.

Secured to theside of-the instrument opposite from the driving wheel and cutting knife and below the guide slots 8 is a bracket which carries a spaced parallelportion it which is in spaced parallel relation with the lever 22. The

bracket 05 on which is pivotally suspended a cam pawl 24 having, like the cam pawl 24, the eccentric lower camming edge 2. The lower end of the lever 22 swings across this cam embodiments of the invention.

The outer end of the shaft II has fixed thereto an end of the crank ll which carries at its free end the handle 20 and upon this crank is a slide unit 20 which is shown in Figure 17 in dotted outline and which, like 1; unit 30' shown in Figure 12, is of exactly the e construction as the unit which is shown in detail in connection with Figures 1 and 2. The slide of this unit coacts with the lever 22 as in the other embodi- V ments of the invention to turn the eccentric wheel this spacing or tolerance permits of any further rotation required to effect escapement of the arm 22 from the slide unit 30. This tolerance is not sumcient to aflect the height of the driving wheel ll, nor to interfere with the efflcient operation of the device. =Also, upon counter-clockwise rotation of the eccentric wheel the flnger ll will come down into contact with the end of the spring arm 40 and likewise limit the return turning movement of this element.

device opposite from the .Upon the side of the bearing sleeve head l2, the bearing sleeve |2 is encircled by a collar 88 which extends at one end into the adjacent guide slot 8 and engages against the adjacent side of the eccentric wheel.

.At the outer end of this collar 83 the lever 22 bears and is keyed to the bearing sleeve 12 by a key similar to the key 02 which couples the ec- Thus, the lever 22 and the eccentric'wheel I!" are locked together to turn as a unit with the bearing sleeve l2.

Extending through the bearing sleeve is a driving wheel shaft l3 which carries upon the end upon the crank and move the can into and out of engagement with the cutter wheel ll. v

It will be readily recognized that in this fourth embodiment of the invention, the general principle of operation is the same as in the other embodiments described in that upon clockwise rotation of the handle, the slide which is. carried arm will engage the depending lever and force it down to the position in which it is shown in Figure 17, thus turning the eccentric wheel which bears upon the spring arm 40! and which, when so turned raises the driving wheel shaft and the bearing sleeve encircling it to the upper end of the guide slots 0. This forces the top flange of the can past the cutting knife and forces the knife through the head of the can. The cam pawl then functions to shift the slide from engagement with the lever so that continued clockwise rotation of the crank may be had.

'As in the other embodiments of the invention,

the device shown in Figure 17 is designed to driving wheel'is in a plane parallel face of the knife into en-' maybe I the can wall after penetrating the head carries a pivot pin ll pawl as in the other I2 by the rivets or holding'devices which secure the end from the can, and subsequent clockwise the spring plate 39 in position.

In Figure 22 there is illustrated a modified form of cam pawl which might be substituted for the cam pawls shown in the several embodiments of the invention. This modified form of cam pawl is indicated by the numeral 88 and is oscillatably supported upon a pivot pin 89 carried by a sup orting body 90. The free or outer end of the modified cam pawl is provided'with a notch 9| in which the slide of the crank engages. This cam pawl is normally maintained in a rearwardly and downwardly extending position with respect to the supporting body plate by the spring 92, one end of which is secured to the pivot pin 89 on which the pawl is rockably supported while the other end is connected with the pawl, as indicated at 93. The bias of the spring is such as to cause it to swing the pawl tothe angled position in which it is shown where the spring is no longer under tension. When the crank is turned and the slide carried therebyengages in the notch 9l,,the pawl will be forced to turn on its pivotal support in a clockwise direction and it will place the spring under tension. At the same time, due to the different centers of rotation for the handle and the pawl, the pawl will. urge the slide to move outwardly so that it will be disengaged from or shifted beyond the end ofthe adjacent lever and thereby freed from the lever. When the pawl has swung around below vertical center, the slide will then slip out of the notch 9|, so as to permit the spring 92 to swing the pawl back to inoperative position and free the crank for continued clockwise turning.

From the foregoing, it will be readily apparent that a novel feature which is common to the several forms-or embodiments of the invention resides in the means by which the penetration of 'the can head or top by the cutting knife is accomplished simultaneously with the rotation of the crank handle so that it is not necessary to manipulate a separate element for forcing the knife through the can head, as is the case with other rotary cutters. It will also be seen that due to the fact that the driving wheel which is in engagement with the top flange of thecan, is being rotated while the can is being forced up into engagement with the top penetrating knife, the knife cuts through the top of the can with a shearing motion rather than bein forced directly through as in the case of other types of cutters and consequently, this action of forcing the knife through the-top of the can .is accomplished with much less efi'ort than in other types of cutters.

It will also be observed that in the different embodiments of the present invention, a single rotation of the crank counter-clockwise after the can head has been cut out, effects the lowering of the driving wheel from the knife so that the can can be readily removed by the engagemerit of the slide carried by the crank with the oscillating lever which is operatively coupledwith the eccentric wheel or with the mechanism by whichthe driving wheel is' raised and the instrument is left with the parts thereof set ready for the reception of another can.

As previously stated, in the operation of all of the embodiments of the invention a single series of clockwise rotations of the operating handle or crank forces the cutter through the end of; the can, effects the firm engagement or attachment of the can in the device, and also cuts turning of the handle, which does not have to exceed. one and one-quarter turns, releases the can from the device. If preferred, after the can end has been completely out out'the operating handle may be further rotated clockwise until the slide on the operating handle has passed over the lever arm which it operates, before beginning counter-ciockwise rotation of the handle to release the, can fromthe device. In such case, counter-clockwise rotation of the operating handle doesnot exceed a quarter turn.

It will also be apparent that in all of the embodiments, when the cutter is being forced through the top of the can and the can is being firmly engaged or secured, the operating handle is being pulled toward the operator so that maximum leverage is obtained and the operation of the device is eflected by the operator with a minimum of effort. Also, when operating the handle counter-clockwise a minimum of eifort is required for releasing the can, due to the fact that during this portion of movement the handle is being pushed awayfrom the operator.

In all forms it will be noted that the driving wheel moves only vertically in relation to the cutter or the cooperating roller. This provides for better alignment of the can while being engaged in the device, and while engaged, and also while being disengaged or released. The design in each form is also such as to provide for a ood substantial construction and plenty of operating tolerances so that the devices will continue to operate efliciently even after having been used for a considerable length of time.

The alternate type of cam pawl shown in Fig ure 22 provides for greater ease of operation and eliminates the clicking of the slide during opera-' tion of the handle, as the slide passes over the other type cam pawl.

In the forms of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 17 the spring arm,below the eccentric wheel provides for uniform pressure of the drivingwheel against the-.can rim, insuring greater ease of operation, 'iaositive traction of driving wheel with the rim of the can, but with a mini-' while it is also being forced upward by the driv ing wheel. This provides for piercing the can top with less effort than is required where a ver-' tical or longitudinal movement only is employed.

In the form shown in Figure 1 the cooperating roller above the driving wheel provides for still greater ease of operation.

The form of the invention shown in Figures 6 to.9 is such that it may be produced at a most economical production cost due to the'condensed character of the same.

In the structure shown in Figures 12 to 15 the toggle'action illustrated and described provides for still greater ease of the operation of forcing the cutter through the can. It will also'be apparent that the cooperating roller which is employed in the structure of Figure 1 may also be employed in this embodiment of the invention.

What is claimed is:'

1. A can opener of the character stated, comnected with the thrust element for effectingmovement of the latter, a crank connected with said wheel for imparting rotary motion thereto,

and means carried by the crank for intermittent connection with the lever upon turning of the crank and wheel to effect oscillation of the lever and actuation of the thrust means for moving the wheel relative to the knife.

2. A can opener of the character stated, comprising a body member, a knife carried thereby, a can flange engaging driving wheel rotatably supported on the body member for movement relative to the knife, a thrust element having operative connection with said wheel for imparting movement thereto relative tothe knife, the thrust element having operative connection with the body member, a lever means operatively connected with the thrust element for effecting movement of the latter, a crank connected with said wheel for imparting rotary motion thereto,

' means carried by the crank for intermittent connection with the lever upon turning of the crank and wheel to effect oscillation of the lever and actuation of the thrust means for moving the wheel relative to the knife, said last means comprising a movable contact member; on the crank engaging with a side of the lever upon turning of the crank, and a camming means carried by the body member and engaged by the contact member and functioning to shift the latter out of engagement with the crank after a predetermined period of movement of the crank.

3. A can opener of the character stated, comprising a body member, a knife carried thereby, a can flange engaging driving wheel rotatably supported on the body member for movement relative to the-knife, a thrust element having operative connection with said wheel for imparting movement thereto relative to the knife, the thrust element having operative connection with the body member, a lever means operatively connected with the thrust element for eflecting movement of the latter, a crank connected with said wheel for imparting rotary motion thereto,

and means carried by the crank for intermittent connection with the lever upon turning of the crank and wheel to effect oscillation of the lever and actuation of the thrust means for moving the wheel relative to the knife, said thrust means comprising an eccentric wheel having bearing on a flxed fulcrum surface carried by the body member.

4. A can opener of the character'stated, comprising a body member, a knife carried thereby, a can flange engaging driving wheel rotatably supported on the body member for movement relative to the knife, a thrust element having operative connection with said wheel for imparting movement thereto relative to the knife, the thrust element having operative connection with the body member, a lever means operatively connected with the thrust element for effecting movement of the latter, a crank connected with said wheel for imparting rotary motion thereto, means carried by the crank for intermittent connection with the lever upon turning of the crank and wheel to effect oscillation of the lever and actuation ofthe thrust means for moving the wheel relative to the knife, a yieldable body carried by the body member, and said'thrust means comprising an eccentric wheel having peripheral bearing upon said yieldable body..

5. A can opener of the character stated, comprising .a body member, a cutter carried by the body member, a bearing sleeve supported transversely of the body member for movement relative to the cutter, a shalt extending through and rotatable in the bearing sleeve, a driving wheel at one end of the shaft disposed in a plane closely paralleling the cutter for movement with the sleeve relative to the cutter, means for imparting rotary motion to the shaft and driving wheel, a thrust element operatively coupled with the bearing sleeve, means providing a fulcrum for the thrust element, said thrust element being movable in either of two directions for selectively 1 movement toward and away from the knife, the

sleeve being rotatable, a shaft extending through said sleeve for rotation therein and for movement therewith relative to the knife, a can rim engaging driving wheel connected with the shaft for movement relative to the knife, a thrust element coupled with the sleeve, means forming a fulcrum for the thrust element, the thrust element having two directions of movement for selectively moving the driving wheel toward and away from the knife, a lever operatively coupled with the sleeve for imparting rotary motion thereto, a crank coupled with the shaft for turning the same, a movable element supported on the crankfor' engagement with a side of the lever upon rotation of the crank, and means for shifting the movable element after a predetermined extent of movement of the lever thereby to effect disengagement of the movable element from the crank.

'1. A can opener, comprising a body member,

a knife connected with the body member, a bearing sleeve supported by the body member for movement toward and away from the knife, the

ment having two directions of movement for selectively moving the driving wheel toward and away from the knife, a lever operatively coupled with the sleeve for imparting rotary motion thereto, a crank coupled with the shaft for turningthe same, an element supported on the crank for movement toward and away from the shaft, resilient means normally urging movementof the element toward the shaft, said element being engageable with a side of the lever upon rotation of the crank and shaft to impart movement to the lever and rotary motion to saidsleeve to effect movement of the thrust element, and cam means carried by the body in position for engagement by the movable element and constructed and arranged to shift the movable element away from the shaft to effect its disengagement from the lever after the latter. has been moved a predetermined distance,

8. A can opener, comprising a body, a cutter carried thereby, a bearing sleeve rotatably supported on'the body for movement relative to the cutter, a shaft rotatably supported in the sleeve to be carried thereby, a can flange engaging driving wheel carried by the shaft for movement therewith relative to the cutter, an eccentric wheel secured eccentrically to the sleeve between the same and a portion of the body member, means providing a fulcrum against which the periphery of the eccentric wheel bears, the eccentric wheel upon rotation effecting the shifting of the sleeve with the driving wheel toward and away from the cutter, a lever secured to the sleeve upon the opposite side of said body member from the eccentric wheel. a crank connected to the shaft for imparting rotary motion thereto, and-a shiftable element carried b the crank for engagement with the lever upon rotation of the crank, the shiftable element when shifted in one direction on the crank being removable from its connection with the lever.

9. A can opener, comprising a body, a cutter carried thereby, a bearing sleeve rotatably supported on the body for movement relative to the cutter, a'shaft rotatably supported in the sleeve to be carried thereby, a can flange engaging driving wheel carried by the shaft for movement therewith relative to the cutter, an eccentric wheel secured eccentrically to the sleeve between the same and a portion of the body member, means providing a fulcrum against which the periphery of the eccentric wheel bears, the eccentric wheel upon rotation effecting the shifting of the sleeve with the driving wheel toward and away from the cutter, a lever secured to the sleeve upon the opposite side of said body member from the eccentric wheel, a crank connected to the shaft for imparting rotary motion thereto, an element carried by the crank for limited movement lengthwise thereof, resilient means normally urging movement of the element toward the pivoted end of the crank, the element beingv arranged for engagement with a side of the lever during rotation of the crank to impartturning movement to the lever, and a camming element supported adjacent the end of the lever for engagement by the crank carried element to effect the movement of the latter outwardly against the tension of the resilient means and disconnection of the crank carried element from the lever.

10. A can opener, comprising an elongated plate having a laterally offset parallel end portion providing a shoulder, a knife connected at the terminus of the offset portion, said offset portion having a longitudinally extending guide slot bearing, a bearing sleeve extending through the guide s ot for rotation therein and movement longitudinally thereof, an eccentric wheel eccentrically secured to the bearing sleeve and having its periphery inengagement with the shoulder, a lever secured at one end to the bearing sleeve and extending lengthwise of the adjacent offset portion, a can flange engaging driving wheel, a shaft carrying said wheel and extending through and rotatable in the sleeve, the driving wheel being movable with the sleeve relative to the cutter, a crank connected with the shaft for rotating the same and the wheel, and means carried by the crank for engaging the lever upon rotation of the crank'to impart turning movement to the lever, said last means being separable from the lever after a predetermined extent of rotation of the crank.

11. A canopener, comprising an elongated body, a knife connected with the body at one end and having an offset parallel relation therewith, the body adjacent the knife end having a longitudinally extending slot therein, a bearing sleeve rotatable in said slot and movable'lengthwise therein, a substantially U-shaped yoke partially enclosing the body and having two spaced sides, each of said yoke sides being secured to the bearing sleeve to turn therewith, a link pivotally connected at one end with one of the sides of the yoke, a pivotal connection between the other end of the link and the body on a line lengthwise of the body with the rotary center of, the sleeve, the first pivot for the link forming an elbow between the yoke and the body adapted to swing across said line, a lever connected with the other side of the yoke and extending lengthwise of the body, a shaft rotatable in the sleeve, a can flange engaging driving wheel carried by the shaft for movement with the yoke relative to the knife, a crank connected with the shaft, and a shiftable element carried by the crank and adapted to have a predetermined period of connection with the lever upon rotation of the, crank-to oscillate the yoke and bend said elbow to effect the shifting of the sleeve .and driving wheel relative to the knife.

12. A can opener, comprising an elongated body having a laterally ofiset upper end, a knife integral with said offset end and spaced from the body, the body adjacent the knife having a longitudinally extending slot therethrough, a sleeve extending through and rotatable in the slot and movable lengthwise thereof, a resilient arm secured at one end and having an end extending across the plate beneath the sleeve, an eccentric wheel eccentrically secured to the sleeve at one end and having its periphery in engagement with the second-mentioned end of the arm, a lever secured to the sleeve and extending lengthwise of the plate, a shaft rotatable in the sleeve, a can flange engaging driving wheel carried by the shaft and movable with the sleeve relative to the knife, a crank connected with the shaft for rotation of the same, and an element carried by the crank and having limited lengthwise movement thereon and arranged for engagement with a side of the lever for a predetermined period of connection therewith during the rotationof thecrank' for effecting oscillation of the lever.

13. A can opener, comprising an elongated body having a laterally offset upper end, a knife integral with said offset end and spaced from the body, the body adjacent the knife having a longitudinally extending slot therethrough, a sleeve extending through and rotatable in the slot and" tion of the same, an element carried by the crank and having limited lengthwise movement thereon and arranged for engagement with a side of the lever for a predetermined period of connection therewith during the rotation of the crank for effecting oscillation of the lever, the said offset portion of the plate forming a head having two spaced walls, one of said walls being formed to provide said knife, and an idler wheel pivotally supported between said walls in the plane of the driving wheel for engagement with the said can flange.

14. A can opener, comprising an elongated body formed to provide an angular extension at one end, a shaft extending through the angular extension perpendicular thereto and supported for rotation, at cutting wheel upon one end of the shaft, the body having a longitudinally extending guide slot therein adjacent to said extension, a bearing sleeve extending through the guide slot for rotation therein and for movement lengthwise of the body, an eccentric wheel eccentrically supported-upon the bearing sleeve and'secured thereto for rotation therewith, a shaft extending through the bearing sleeve for rotation therein, a can flange engaging wheel secured to an end of the shaft upon the same side of the body as said cutting 'wheel for movement relative thereto, means providing a fulcrum with which the periphery of the eccentric wheel engages, a lever secured to the bearing sleeve to be turned therewith, a crank connected with the second-mentioned shaft to effect turning of the same and the driving wheel, and an element supported upon the crank for shifting movement lengthwise thereof .and normally maintained in position to engage said lever upon rotation of the crank for imparting rotation to the bearing sleeve,

' said extension,

gular extension perpendicular thereto and sup-- ported for rotation, a cutting wheel upon one end of the shaft, the body having a longitudinally extending guide slot therein adjacent to a bearing sleeve extending through the guide ,slot for rotation therein and for movement lengthwise of the body, an eccentric wheel eccentrically supported upon the bearing sleeve and secured thereto for rotation therewith, a shaft extending through the bearing sleeve for rotation therein, a can flange engaging wheel secured to an end of the shaft upon the same side of the body as said cutting wheel for movement relative thereto, means providing a fulcrum with which the periphery of the eccentric wheel engages, a lever secured to the bearing sleeve to be turned therewith, a'crank connected with the second-mentioned shaft to effect turning of the same and the driving wheel, and an element supported upon the crank for shifting movement lengthwise thereof and normally maintained in position to engage said lever upon rotation of the crank for imparting rotation to the bearing sleeve, said element being movable out of connection with the lever after a predetermined extent of rotation. of the crank, said fulcrum means comprising a curved arm secured at one end to the body and having its other and free for resilient movement relative to the body, the periphery of the eccentric wheel'being in engagement with the said other end.

ROBERT E. McLEAN. 

